NSW captain Paul Gallen lauded his team’s courage and five-eighth Josh Reynolds declared Wednesday night’s historic 12-8 win as the toughest game of his life as the Blues recorded their first win in a series opener at Suncorp Stadium since 2003. ‘‘I am buggered, that is something I have never been through before,’’ Reynolds said. ‘‘I have never been through that sort of pain, It is the hardest game I have been in and full credit to the boys.’’

Gallen praised the Blues for hanging on in the dying minutes after a controversial decision by referee Shayne Hayne to award a scrum to Queensland on the NSW line. ‘‘That was an unbelievable defensive effort, we hung in there,’’ Gallen said. ‘‘They had some calls go their way but we managed to hold them out. It was a great effort. They had a couple of injuries and I think we had some injuries.’’

NSW coach Laurie Daley now faces a selection headache for Origin II, with Test stars Greg Bird and Andrew Fifita set to return to the team for the June 18 clash at ANZ Stadium. Bird missed Wednesday night’s series opener due to a two-match suspension for a lifting tackle but his ban has now expired and the 29-year-old Gold Coast back-rower is a certain selection for the Blues team.

Blues five-eighth Josh Reynolds. Photo: Getty Images

Fifita is also set to come into the NSW team as the Blues attempt to seal an historic series win after making a faster than expected recovery from a high ankle sprain suffered just over two weeks ago. The Test prop was in a moon boot and getting around on a custom-made scooter last week but is expected to make his return for Cronulla in round 13

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5 comments so far

Great win by the Blues. A top effort to hang in there in the second half against a rising Queensland and a few dodgy decisions at the end there. And no biffo to detract from a great game of footy!

Commenter

Doobie

Date and time

May 28, 2014, 11:26PM

Oh Dear,I wonder what the headlines will be in Brisvegas today......

Commenter

cl

Date and time

May 29, 2014, 2:02AM

The headlines are Cracks appear as QLD down in EpicDaleys men all over oursI've never been more frightened TateMeninga has faith in his squad.

Now if NSW had lost it would have readQLD responsible for global warming20 trillion reasons why Cam Smith is a grubInglis should be playing for NSW. I'll let you in on a secret Inglis was a passenger last night. Even with those last passes to Boyd.They tackled to hard and last but not least the most common one used and trotted out every time the Blues have lost since Noah played fullback for Jerusaluem.WE WERE ROBBED.Plenty of things QLD could complain about last night but copped it straight and said they weren't good enough. Which has been in total contrast to the Blues pathetic excuses for the last 8 years

Commenter

col

Date and time

May 29, 2014, 8:21AM

All quiet in Brisvegas this morning. One would think the game never happened.

Commenter

Gaily

Location

Brisbane

Date and time

May 29, 2014, 9:53AM

Saying the toads had "a few calls go their way" is the understatement of the season.

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